by Trish White-Boyd
Virginia is once again on the front lines of protecting democracy.
For generations, Black Virginians have fought not just for the right to vote, but for the right to have our votes count. From poll taxes and literacy tests to modern suppression tactics, the struggle has never been only about access. It has always been about power.
Today, that fight looks different, but it is no less serious.
Several states have redrawn congressional districts in the middle of the decade, shifting representation and changing the balance of power in Washington. Now Virginia voters are being asked whether the Commonwealth should temporarily adjust its congressional maps as well and let the people decide this April.
This is not about lines on a map. It is about who holds power.
A handful of congressional seats can determine whether health care protections survive, whether SNAP benefits are protected, whether voting rights advance, and whether Congress conducts real oversight when communities are harmed. Control of the U.S. House shapes economic policy, civil rights enforcement, and accountability.
Virginia’s proposed constitutional amendment would allow a temporary adjustment that expires after the 2030 Census, returning the state to the voter-approved redistricting commission process. It is not permanent. It is a response to a national moment.
Black communities must understand that representation has always been political. When districts are drawn in ways that weaken our voice or dilute our strength, the consequences are real, resulting in fewer champions, fewer resources and fewer protections.
Our elders marched and sacrificed so we could have a say in moments like this. The ballot remains our most powerful tool. Early voting begins March 6. Election Day is April 21.
As I often say, “We stand on the shoulders of those who fought for our voice. Now it is our turn to protect it. Democracy only works when we work it and this is our moment to show up.”
History will remember what Virginia does.
The question is simple: will we use our voice?
VOTE YES on that day!
